TOP 5 Barca: Athletic Bilbao Preview, Messi evolution, Luis Suarez, Andre Gomes, Roma in Champions League

Valverde: ‘Athletic are always dangerous opposition’ | FCBarcelona.com

Valverde: “This will be a special game for me. They are opposition who grow amidst difficulty. They are dangerous, because they have great spirit, and they are tough to play against whatever form they are in. There are an important three points at stake; we’re in the final countdown in the season, we have the international break and then there’s a tough April coming up. Practically our entire season is at stake now, and we have to start the final ten games with a win.”

“Iniesta’s future depends on him. I’m not thinking about next year right now. Iniesta is a unique, incomparable player. But Carles Aleñá has a great future ahead of him at this club.” More here.

Can Messi take Barcelona to the Treble this season? | The Barcelona Podcast

Francesc and Dan provide an in-depth look at Messi’s performances so far this season and debate whether his influence will be enough for Barcelona to conquer the Champions League. The very knowledgeable Diana Kristinne then joins for another edition of La Ronda de Preguntas. Listen on Apple Podcasts iOS App or Spotify and, if you like what you hear, head over to Patreon for some more content!

Luis Suarez’s absence will shake up Barcelona’s attack | Marca

Athletic Club travel to the Camp Nou on Sunday to face their former coach, however Ernesto Valverde faces a tactical headache due to Luis Suarez’s absence. Suarez was shown a fifth yellow card against Malaga last time out and that means he is out with suspension.

If the choice is made not to go with Alcacer, then Coutinho and Dembele could both feature in a 4-3-3 system. The Brazilian would feature on the left and the former Borussia Dortmund winger on the right. More here.

Lionel Messi speaks about the evolution of his game | Sport

The genius from Rosario has no problem admitting that “Before I was robbing the ball and making my play alone, or at least trying to make my play. Now I try to play more for the team, to pass the ball more and to not be such a finisher or so selfish, in inverted commas. I try to move the team from one position to another, but I keep running as much as ever, just in a different way.” More here.

It’s Roma. Now what? | Barcelona Football Blog

There is a line in the excellent Jonathan Wilson Champions League preview (in which he logically predicts Barça to advance) that is worth having a look at in the context of this team, and what Ernesto Valverde has had to do. Of necessity.

The biggest problem with Barça is Barça. It becomes necessary to view each team under each coach as a separate thing. But in looking at a particular team out of context, complexities arise. Luis Enrique’s teams were chaotic at the end, but even more so compared to their predecessors. And then there is Valverde. Let’s have a look at how he is working, what is effective and his necessities. More here.


Andre Gomes’ honesty about his “hell” met with warm reception | ESPN

When Andre Gomes ran onto the pitch Wednesday night, the Camp Nou erupted. There were cheers and clapping, they started chanting his name and every time he got the ball, there was applause. Every successful pass and every move was greeted with appreciative cheers. All of which was a bit different to the last time Barcelona had played at home: Every time he had got the ball then, against Atletico Madrid, there was a collective intake of breath, a fear or an irritation even, and a kind of murmur went around the stands, a muttering, sometimes even whistles. More here.


Can Messi take Barcelona to the Treble this season? | The Barcelona Podcast

Join Francesc Tomas and Dan Hilton as they discuss the hottest breaking stories from the Camp Nou! Listen via Apple Podcasts iOS App, the Android Google Play App or Spotify.